1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a screening tool for weight categories in children and teens. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The CDC BMI-for-age growth charts take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

The result is then compared to CDC growth charts to determine the percentile for the child's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening for overweight and obesity in children and teens. Tracking growth patterns over time can help identify potential weight concerns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-19), and select gender. For most accurate results, measurements should be taken by a healthcare professional.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI interpreted differently for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow and differs between boys and girls. The CDC growth charts account for these differences.

Q2: What do the BMI percentiles mean?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th percentile), Overweight (85th-95th percentile), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: How often should my child's BMI be calculated?
A: Healthcare providers typically calculate BMI at all routine checkups for children aged 2 years and older.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular children. It's a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool.

Q5: Where can I find the CDC growth charts?
A: The CDC growth charts are available on the CDC website for healthcare professionals to use in clinical settings.